Here are the number of verses in the bible.
| 23,145 |
Old Testament |
| 7,957 |
New Testament |
| 31,102 |
Bible |
How many ways are there to pick out pick out two verses and compare them?
(31,102*31101)/2=483,651,651 or about half a billion ways.
How many of these ways may have important meaning? How many of these ways may not have important meaning?
This is one of the potential dangers of relating verses in different places in the Bible (or any text).
[FORTRAN program analogy, structural induction]
Aristotle discusses logic and opinion and then makes the following claim.
English: Therefore we are left with the conclusion that it is opinion that is concerned with that which is true or false and which may be otherwise. (Loeb#391, p 167)
Greek: ὥστε λείπεται δόξαν εἶναι περὶ τὸ ἀληθὲς μὲν ἢ ψεῦδος, ἐνδεχόμενον δὲ καὶ ἄλλως ἔχειν. Aristotle: Posterior Analytics [89a]
Aristotle then continues with the discussion and then makes the following remark.
English: These considerations make it clear that it is impossible to have opinion and knowledge at the same time about the same object. (Loeb#391, 171)
Greek: Φανερὸν δ' ἐκ τούτων ὅτι οὐδὲ δοξάζειν ἅμα τὸ αὐτὸ καὶ ἐπίστασθαι ἐνδέχεται. Aristotle: Posterior Analytics [89a]
Most people
prefer opinion, which requires no real skill,
over logic, which requires more skill, is more constraining, and may result in conclusions that are not desired.
The ancient Greek word
"ὑπερβολή" ≈ "overshooting, superiority, excess" and, in geometry, a "
hyperbola". The Greek word is the source of the English word
"hyperbole" but has acquired the meaning of
exaggerated statements that are not meant to be taken literally and are based on the personal
opinion of the person inferring the "
hyperbole".
The use of "
hyperbole" for inferring the meaning of sayings of Jesus is very popular since anyone can adopt almost any meaning based on personal opinion and then compare that opinion with others to see which people like which opinions.
By contrast, interpreting the meaning of sayings of Jesus using constraint logic and code words where nouns are replaced by other words to get the meaning is not popular.
Unfortunately for those who prefer "
hyperbole", Jesus never says that he is using hyperbole but Jesus does explain his approach to replacing nouns with other nouns to derive meaning.
2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [kjv]
και τη υπερβολη των αποκαλυψεων διο ινα μη υπεραιρωμαι εδοθη μοι σκολοψ τη σαρκι αγγελος σατανα ινα με κολαφιζη ινα μη υπεραιρωμαι [gnt]
1 Corinthians 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. [kjv]
ζηλουτε δε τα χαρισματα τα μειζονα και ετι καθ υπερβολην οδον υμιν δεικνυμι [gnt]
Jesus often uses code words so that sayings have more than one meaning. All the meanings can be true. The encoded (literal) form makes (some) sense and the decoded form makes sense. In general:
Matthew 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. [kjv]
ο δε ειπεν αυτοις δια τουτο πας γραμματευς μαθητευθεις τη βασιλεια των ουρανων ομοιος εστιν ανθρωπω οικοδεσποτη οστις εκβαλλει εκ του θησαυρου αυτου καινα και παλαια [gnt]
Matthew 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. [kjv]
As a general rule, it is not effective to use "logical" "truth" or "reality" "truth" with people who insist on using "opinion" "truth".
Matthew 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. [kjv]
τις εκ των δυο εποιησεν το θελημα του πατρος λεγουσιν ο υστερος λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους αμην λεγω υμιν οτι οι τελωναι και αι πορναι προαγουσιν υμας εις την βασιλειαν του θεου [gnt]
